Today, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) announced that Tina M. King, Ed.D, President at San Diego College of Continuing Education is one of 23 community college presidents selected to participate in the third cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship, a unique year-long professional development experience supported by JPMorganChase. During the program, presidents will develop a reform agenda that helps more of their students graduate into good jobs, either directly after community college or following transfer and bachelor degree attainment.
“We know from 15 years of intensive research how the best community colleges equip students with the skills and credentials that lead to good jobs and flourishing lives,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “These 23 presidents have committed to strengthening their institutions so those outcomes become the norm for every student.”
Through the year-long program, fellows will work with highly accomplished community college presidents, Aspen leaders, and each other to analyze local labor markets, their colleges’ outcomes, national models of excellence, and lessons from highly successful presidents. The reform agendas they draft are then pressure-tested during multi-day residential sessions, multiple webinars, and feedback from peers and experts.
This third cohort of Aspen Presidents Fellows represents community college leaders serving students and communities across the country. The fellows lead institutions in 14 states, spanning rural communities, suburban regions, and urban centers. They represent colleges with a wide range of missions—from comprehensive and technical institutions to tribal-serving colleges. They join a growing network of 433 fellowship alumni, including 202 community college presidents, committed to strengthening student success and economic mobility in their communities. Aspen supports this network of community college reform leaders through targeted professional development, research briefings, and convenings at national conferences.
“I am deeply honored to be selected for the Aspen Presidents Fellowship. This recognition reflects the transformative work happening every day at San Diego College of Continuing Education on behalf of our 30,000 adult learners—immigrants, working families, and individuals seeking a second chance at education and career opportunity,” said Dr. Tina M. King, who was named an Aspen Rising President Fellow in 2021 while serving as Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Student Affairs at Southwestern College. “At San Diego College of Continuing Education, our mission is grounded in advancing equity, alleviating poverty, and driving socioeconomic mobility through education and workforce development. I look forward to collaborating with fellow leaders across the nation to develop bold, data-informed strategies that ensure every student we serve has the opportunity to thrive.”
CONTACT: Brenna Leon Sandeford ([email protected]) & Kristin O’Keefe ([email protected])
